International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has described as “deplorable” the criticism by some governments over the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sport.
Over 30 governments have pledged to support an ongoing ban on Russia. and Belarusian athletes even though the IOC has recommended they be permitted to compete under a neutral flag.
Bach said such interventions would mean the “end of world sport as we know it”.
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“It is deplorable to see that some governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic movement and all stakeholders, nor the autonomy of sport,” Bach added.
“It is deplorable that these governments do not address the question of double standards. We have not seen a single comment on their attitude on the participation of athletes from countries of the other 70 wars and armed conflict around the world.”
Thomas Bach’s remarks come shortly after some international athletes criticised the IOC president’s claim that Russians and Belarusians competing as neutrals in their sport “works”.
The Danish Fencing Federation called off an international fencing event in Copenhagen on Thursday following permission by the sport’s governing body for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
IOC’s decision to allow for the return of these athletes have been met with widespread criticism.
It should be noted that the IOC’s recommendation for neutral participation only extends to individual athletes, not teams.
Ukraine threatens to boycott Paris Games
However, a decision on whether Russians and Belarusians can compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be taken at a later date.
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Government interventions have strengthened the unity of the Olympic movement,” IOC president Thomas Bach said.
“It cannot be up to the governments to decide which athletes can participate in which competition. This would be the end of world sport as we know it today.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Paris Games if a ban is not upheld.
Back in February 2022, the IOC called on sporting federations to ban athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus, following the invasion of Ukraine.
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